Toe rest for shoe machines



Jan. 27, 1942. s. J. FINN TOE REST FOR SHOE MACHINES Fiied Nov. 19, 1940m/i/vrg Fm Fig.2.

Patented Jan. 27, 1942 TOE BEST FOR SHOE MACHINES Sidney J. Finn,Beverly, Mass.,lassig'nor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation,Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application November 19,1940, Serial No. 366,263

13 Claims.

This invention relates; to shoe machinery, and particularly to a workrest or support for engaging the forepart of a lasted shoe during theapplication of pressure to the shoe bottom.

In machines for applying pressure to the bottoms of lasted shoes, theshoe is ordinarily held, during pressure application, by supportingmeans engaging the cone of the last and the forepart of the shoe in thevicinity of its toe portion. The supporting means for engaging theforepart, or toe rest as it is commonly called, is usually in the formof a resilient yieldable pad, shaped to conform substantially to therounded contour of the toe portions of shoes, and suitably mounted so asto provide adequate support against the pressure. The center of supportof such a toe rest is approximately over a line extending lengthwise ofthe shoe, from the center of the heel end of the shoe bottom to theextreme forward end or point of its toe portion, hereinafter called thelongitudinal center line of the shoe bottom; whereas the areas of theshoe bottom on either side of its longitudinal center line are, in

unevenly into a yielding pressure-applying pad.

With this end in view, there is provided, as an important feature ofthis invention, a toe rest having a pad shaped to conform substantiallyto the rounded toe portions of shoes, together with supporting meanstherefor comprising a member arranged for movement, laterally of the toerest and independently of the pad, to locate the effective center ofsupport of the pad, and

most shoes at least, unequal, the outside area being the larger. Statedanother way, the center of support of the toe rest is not directly'overa line, passing through the center of the heel end of the shoe bottomand also through the center of gravity of the shoe bottom area againstwhich pressure is applied, about which the moments of of the shoe bottomareas on each side thereof are equal, hereinafter referred to as thelongitudinal moment axis of the shoe bottom area, but, instead, isoffset inwardly therefrom, widthwise of the shoe, a distance varyingwith the shape of the last.

As a result of this unbalanced condition,'where the pressure is appliedto the shoe'bottom by means which are incapable of equalizing thepressure, such as the flexible ironing plates employed in the machinefor applying heat and pressure to shoe bottoms disclosed in UnitedStates Letters Patent No, 2,095,245, granted on October 12, 1937, on anapplication of S. J. Finn, there will not be an even distribution ofpressure over the bottom of the shoe. Where pressure is applied by meanscapable of equalizing the pressure on the shoe bottom, such as ayielding pad of the type used in the machine for cement-attaching solesto shoes disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,047,185, granted July14, 1936, on an application of Ballard et al., there is a tendency forthe shoe to rock or turn and to sink unequally into the yielding padduring pressure application.

In each case the'operation of the machine is hence of the toe rest, toone side of the longitu dinal center line of the shoe bottom andsubstantially over the longitudinal moment axisof the area of the shoebottom to which pressure is to be applied. In order to accommodatevariations in the shapes-of different lasts, the supporting member isarranged, in accordance with a further feature of the invention, so asto be readily adjustable laterally of the toe rest, thus.

permitting aselective positioning of the effective center of support ofthe toe rest widthwise of a shoe in accordance with the particular typeof shoe being handled.

Preferably, and as herein illustrated, the improved toe rest has aresilient yielding pad comprising two portions shaped for conformablyengaging the rounded toe portion of a lasted shoe, one on each side ofthe longitudinal center line of the shoe bottom, and proportioned insize substantially to the relative sizes of the inside and outside areasof a shoe bottom on each side of its longitudinal center line. The padportions are mounted on separate pressure-transmitting means which in,turn are supported on a pressure-distributing member bearing against ashiftable fulcrum block carried by the body of the toe rest. Thearrangement is such that the total supporting effect of the toe rest isso distributed between the two pad portions that the fulcrum block formsthe effective center of support of the pad, and also of the toe rest. Byshifting the fulcrum block laterally, which may be done without movingthe pad, a greater portion of the pressure will be applied through, orsustained by, one of the pad portions and the effective center ofsupport of the toe rest thus offset laterally from the longitudinalcenter line of the shoe bottom, and located substantially above thelongitudinal moment axis of the area of the bottom of the shoe supportedby the toe rest. In this way, balanced conditions are obtained andoperation of the machine and quality of the work greatly improved.

While the improved toe rest is especially adapted for use in the kind ofshoe machines referred to above and in which the application of pressureto the shoe bottom is a primary function, it will be appreciated that itis also suitable for use in other kinds of shoe machines in which theapplication of pressure to the shoe bottom is incidental to, or combinedwith, other operations, such as, for example, that performed by lastinginstrumentalities. In the latter case, as in the former, uniformity ofpressure application is assured and the operation of the machinecorrespondingly improved.

These and other features and objects of the invention will appear morefully from the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawing and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a portion of a machine forapplying pressure to the bottoms of shoes and having a toe restembodying the features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, partly in section, of the toe rest shown inFig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a view looking up at the bottom of the toe rest shown in Fig.l with the pad cover removed.

The illustrated toe rest, indicated generally by the reference characterin in Fig. 1, is shown mounted on a rocking member l2 which forms a partof the pressure-applying mechanism of a machine for pressing the bottomsof shoes such as is disclosed in the above-mentioned patent to Finn. Seeespecially Fig. 15 of that patent. In the operation of this machine thelasted shoe S is supported against upward movement by means of the toerest I and a heel support; l4, also mounted on the rocking member, tohold it against pressure imposed on the bottom of the shoe by flexibleironing plates, one of which is represented at P in Fig. 1, in a mannerfully explained in said patent. The toe rest comprises a supporting leg20 formed at its upper end with a T-slot 22 which slidably engages aT-guide [6, formed on one end of the rocking member l2. Aspring-actuated locking plunger 24 is arranged selectively to engage anyone of several cating grooves 28 in the guide It for holding the toerest in adjusted position lengthwise of the rocking member. Below theT-slot 22,. and on the back face of the supporting leg, are verticallyspaced horizontal machined surfaces 28 and 38 forming a transversegroove which is covered by a sheet metal casing 32 secured in place byscrews 34. Extending upwardly through the lower part of the supportingleg are spaced bores 35 and a central bore 38.

A stud 48 projecting from a hollow head member 42 is received within thebore 38 and secured therein by means of a set screw 44. Slidably mountedin the spaced bores 36 are plungers 48 and 48 having rounded upper ends58, 50.

At their lower ends these plungers are enlarged to provide flat heads52, 52 generally triangular in shape, see Fig. 3. The hollow head 42 isopen at the bottom and is provided with side walls 54, 54, a rear wall56 and a central rib 58. The

heads 52, 52 of the plungers 48 and 48 fit somewhat loosely in thetriangular spaces formed by these side walls and the central web.Positioned in the head below the plungers is a pad 68, formed of rubberor like resilient material and provided at opposite edges with sheetmetal reinforcing members 82. These reinforcing members are interposedbetween the bottom of the pad and the heads 52 of the plungers and alsobetween the sides of the pad and the walls 54 and 56 of the hollow head42. The pad 60 is traversed by a deep groove 6| which divides it intotwo portions, one on each side of the central web 58 of the head 42.

A flexible cover 66, made of leather, fabric or similar material, issecured to the head by means of anchor screws 68 so as to hold the padfrom falling out of the head and about in the position shown in Fig. 2.The rounded ends 58, 58 of the two plungers 48 and 48 bear against arocking bar or pressure-distributing member 10 which, when a shoe ispressed against the toe rest, is backed up by a fulcrum block 12slidably mounted on the surface 28 of the supporting leg 20 and having arounded fulcrum surface 14. The fulcrum block is adjustable laterally ofthe toe rest by means of a screw 16 threaded into the block andjournaled in the. casing member 32. A turning knob 18 holds the screwagainst movement in one direction while a spring 8!] bearin against awasher 82 fixed on a projecting end of the screw yieldingly resistsmovement in the opposite direction.

In the operation of the machine, the shoe S is placed upon the plates P,beneath the toe rest l0 and the heel-end support l4, and its toe endshifted widthwise so as to be generally centered with respect to the pad68, which is shaped at 86 to conform generally with the rounded contourof the toe part of a shoe. As pressure is applied to thebottom of theshoe, by upward movement of the plates P, the pressure of the toe rest,against the toe portion of the shoe, is transmitted to the'two portionsof the pad 68, from th'e fulcrum block 12 and the pressure-distributingmember 18, by plungers 48 and 48. The fulcrum block thus forms theeffective center of support of the pad 60, and also of the toe rest, andits position, with respect to the two plungers, determines theproportionate part of the pressure which will be sustained by or appliedthrough each' pad portion.

In Fig. 1 a right shoe is shown, and its larger outside ball area willbe beneath the right-hand pad portion, as viewed in Fig. 2. Bypositioning the fulcrum block 12 nearer to the right-hand plunger 46 agreaterv part of the pressure will be sustained by or applied throughthe righthand pad portion and the efiective center of support of the padand toe rest, provided by the fulcrum block, will be shifted widthwiseof the shoe and to the right in Fig. 2. With the block 12 appropriatelypositioned the effective center of support can be brought. substantiallyover the longitudinal moment axis of the shoe bottom area, and, with thecenter of support thus located, conditions will be balanced so that thepressure applied by the pressure-applying means will be uniformlydistributed over the entire area of the shoe bottom. Likewise, if theshoe were being forced into a yielding pressure pad by means of the toerest, as, for example, in a machine such as thatshown in theabove-mentioned patent to Ballard et al., the forces acting on the shoewould be balanced so as to eliminate any tendency of the shoe to rockor. to sink unevenly into the yielding pad.

The appropriate position of the fulcrum block 12 for suitably locatingthe efiective center of support of the toe rest will, of course, varywith different shoes, and necessary adjustment of the block can bereadily made by turning the knob 18. To facilitate the setting of theblock, appropriate indicia, indicated at B8, are provided on the easing32 to cooperate with a line 9i] formed on a pin 92 carried by the blockand extending through a slot 94 in the casing. Inasmuch as a toe restfor supporting a left shoe is the same as that shown in the drawing,except that an oppositely shaped head and pad are provided, theseindicia are extended on each side of the center of the toe rest, itbeing appreciated that the fulcrum block would have to be shifted to theleft, as viewed in Fig. 2, to bring the efiective center of support ofthe pad over the longitudinal moment axis of the bottom area of a leftshoe.

In order substantially to equalize the pressure intensity on the uppermaterials, thus to avoid concentration of pressure at one point whichmight damage the upper materials, the pad 60 is unsymmetrical in shape,see Fig. 3, the righthand pad portion, Fig 2, having a larger areacontacting the shoe than does the left-hand pad portion. Since therelative magnitudes of the pressures applied through or sustained by thetwo pad portions, when the fulcrum block is positiohed properly tolocate the effective center of support of the pad widthwise of a shoe,will be approximately in the ratio of the relative sizes of the outsideand inside areas of a shoe bottom on each side of its longitudinalcenter line, the pad portions are proportioned in size, approximately,to these areas, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Having described the invention, as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent of the United States is:

l. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a pad for coniormablyengaging the forepart of a lasted shoe to hold the shoe during theapplication of pressure to its bottom, and means for supporting the padon the body, said means including a member constructed and arranged formovement relatively to the body and independently of the pad to locatethe effective center of support of the toe rest to one side of thelongitudinal center line of the shoe bottom.

2. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a paid forconformably engaging the forepart of a lasted shoe to hold the shoeduring the application of pressure to the shoe bottom, and means forsupporting the pad on the body, including a member constructed andarranged for movement laterally of the toe rest, said member beingadjustable relatively to the body and independently of the pad to varythe position of the effective center of support of the toe rest withrespect to the longitudinal center line of the shoe bottom.

3. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a pad for conformablyengaging the forepart of a lasted shoe to hold the shoe application ofpressure to the bottom of the shoe, and means for supporting the pad onthe body, said means including a member constructed and arranged formovement relatively to the body and independently of the pad to locatethe effective center of support of the toe rest substantially over thelongitudinal moment axis of the area of the shoe bottom to whichpressure is applied.

what I claim during the 4. A toe rest .for shoe machines comprising abody, a pad for conformably engaging the forepart of a lasted shoe tohold the shoe during application of pressure to the shoe bottom, andmeans for supporting the pad on the body, said means including a membershiftable laterally of the toe rest and independently of the pad tochange the position of the effective center of support of the toe restwith respect to the longitudinal center line of the shoe bottom.

5. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a pad having portionsfor conformably engaging the forepart of a lasted shoe on opposite sidesof the longitudinal center line of the shoe bottom to hold the shoeduring pressure application to its bottom, and means for supporting thepad portions on the body, said means being inter posedbetween the bodyand the pad portions and including members constructed and arranged todistribute the pressure between the pad portions in such a manner thatthe effective center of support of the toe rest is offset laterallyifromthe longitudinal center line of the shoe bottom.

6. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a pad having portionsfor conformably engaging the forepart of a lasted shoe on opposite sidesof the longitudinal center line of the shoe bottom to hold the shoeduring the application of pressure to its bottom, pressure-transmittingmeans associated with each pad portion, and means, bearing against thebody and the pressure-transmitting means, constructed and arranged todistribute pressure between said pressure-transmitting means, and theirassociated pad portions, in such a manner that the effective center ofsupport of the toe rest is substantially over the longitudinal momentaxis of the area of the shoe bottom.

'7. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a pad mounted on thebody and having portions for conformably engaging the forepart of alasted shoe on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of theshoe bottom to hold the shoe during application of pressure to itsbottom, pressure-transmitting means associated with each pad portion andmovably carried by said body, and means for applying a greater pressureto one of said pressure-transmitting means than to the other thereby toshift the effective center of support of the toe rest widthwise of theshoe.

8. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a pad mounted in thebody and having portions for conformably engaging the forepart of alasted shoe on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of theshoe bottom to hold the shoe during the application of pressure to itsbottom, plungers slidably mounted in the body each having enlargedportions at one end bearing on each of said pad portions, apressure-distributing member engaging the opposite ends of saidplungers, and means for transmitting a pressure from the body to saiddistributing member.

9. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising. a body, a pad mounted in thebody and having portions for conformably engaging the forepart of alasted shoe on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of theshoe bottom to hold the shoe during the application of pressure to itsbottom, plungers slidably mounted in the body and having at one endenlarged heads bearing on said pad portions, a pressure-distributingmember engaging the opposite ends of said plungers, and means fortransmitting a pressure from the body to the plungers through saiddistributing member, 'said pressure-transmitting means being shiftablelaterally of the body to vary the position of the effective center ofsupport of the toe rest with respect to the longitudinal center line ofthe shoe bottom.

10. A toe rest for shoe machine comprising a body, a pad mounted on thebody and having portions for conformably engaging the forepart of alasted shoe on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of theshoe bottom to hold the shoe during the application of pressure to itsbottom, plungers slidably mounted in the body and having enlarged headsat one end bearing on the said pad portions, a pressure-distributingmember comprising a bar engaging the opposite ends of said plungers, anda fulcrum block adjustably supported in the body and bearing on the barfor transmitting pressure from the body to the plungers.

11. A toe rest for shoe shoe machines comprising a body, a hollowopen-sided head secured to the body, a pad received in said head andhaving portions for conformably engaging the forepart of a lasted shoeon opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the shoe bottom tohold the shoe during the application of pressure to its bottom, plungersslidably mounted in the body and extending at one end into said head andinto engagement with the pad portions, a pressure-distributing memberengaging the opposite ends of the plungers, a fulcrum block supported onthe body and bearing on the bar between said plungers for transmittingpressure from the body to the pad portions, and means for adjusting theblock laterally of the body to vary the position of application ofpressure to the bar and thereby to shift the effective center of supportof the pad laterally of the toe rest and widthwise of the shoe.

12. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a hollow open-sidedhead on the body, a pad received in said head and extending from itsopen side including portions for conformably engaging the forepart of alasted shoe on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of theshoe bottom to hold the shoe during the application of pressure to itsbottom, one of said pad portions having a substantially larger contactarea than the other pad portion, plungers slidably mounted in the bodyand extending at one end into said head to engage the pad portions, apressure-distributing bar engaging the opposite ends of the plungers, afulcrum block supported on the body and bearing on the bar between saidplungers for transmitting pressure from the body to the pad portions,and means for adjusting the block laterally of the body to vary thepoint of application of pressure to the bar and thereby to shift theeffective center of support of the pad widthwise with respect to thecenter line of the shoe bottom and toward the pad of larger contactarea.

13. A toe rest for shoe machines comprising a body, a pad mounted on thebody and having portions for conformably engaging the forepart of alasted shoe on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of theshoe bottom to support the shoe, pressure-transmitting means associatedwith each pad portion and movably carried by said body, and means forapplying a greater pressure to one of said pressure-transmitting meansthan to the other thereby to shift the effective center of support ofthe toe rest widthwise of the shoe.

SIDNEY J. FINN.

